Experimental comparison of the influence of mode and tempo as indicators of musical atmosphere

Journal/Book: Musiktherapeutische Umschau. 1980; 1: STUTTGART. G. Fischer Verlag. 45-56.

Abstract: The idea presented is one going back into the earliest history of European music, that of the connection between the musical mode and affective mood of music. When music experts were questioned (first experiment) it transpired that this idea - in spite of revised opinions in music theory - still exists today. In the actual assessment by music laymen of suitably selected pieces of music (second experiment), on the other hand, there were no significant differences between samples, whether these were in a major or minor key, so that musical mode was shown not to be a valid predicative indicator of musical mood. By contrast, the influence of musical pace on musical mood proved greater in the second experiment than was to have been expected on the basis of expert judgement. This finding is in agreement with the results of a number of previous music psychology findings.

Keyword(s): Musical-mode, affective-mood, indicators.

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